The effect of childhood adversity on mental health in young adults: a longitudinal study

Abstract Childhood adversity has been consistently linked to negative outcomes in children’s mental health. Nonetheless, little is known about the lifelong effects of these experiences during a stage development with high rates both internalising and externalising problems: emerging adulthood. Therefore, present study analyses relation between self-reported exposure wide range adversities community sample young adults (deviant behaviour) (stress, anxiety depression) outcomes. In this two-time prospective study, 490 (62.4% females) ages ranging from 18 20 years (M = 18.90) were interviewed person first then over an online questionnaire one year later (N 84). Linear regressions performed for each health outcome controlling demographic variables. Physical abuse emerged as best predictor deviant behaviour time periods univocal relation, whereas seemed have broader multifactorial association distinct types only Time 1. These findings, along results stability consequences derived physical abuse, emphasise importance prevention intervention strategies diminish transmission maladaptive life.